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CAIRO — An Egyptian appeals court yesterday overturned the conviction and life sentence of
former President Hosni Mubarak for directing the killing of protesters, a ruling that could prolong
a politically fraught legal battle over the fate of Egypt’s deposed autocrat, ousted two years
ago.

The court reportedly ordered a new trial. Although expected, the decision also might put the
issue of retribution for Mubarak and his inner circle back in the news just as a campaign begins
for new parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for April.

A ruling that overturned Mubarak’s conviction had been considered likely since his conviction
last year. The judge who handed down the verdict said at the time that he was convicting Mubarak on
the principle of presidential responsibility even though he had seen no evidence that Mubarak had
personally ordered or directed the killings. More than 800 civilians were killed during the three
weeks of protests that ended Mubarak’s 30-year rule.